The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Nightlife
Library Bar

Library Bar: Sophisticated Four Seasons Bar

  • Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence
  • Bar
  • 5pm - 2am -
reviewed by
Haisam Awad
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Library Bar: Sophisticated Four Seasons Bar

For those unfamiliar with the Four Seasons
on Giza Street, the third floor on which Library Bar is located is made up of
an extravagantly decorated passageway that will eventually lead you to the bar.
On your way, you will pass several glass cabinets holding pseudo-antique pieces,
a couple of seating areas, a tiny gift shop and finally, Thai restaurant Lai
Thai
.

The atmosphere at Library Bar does not
disappoint. It’s dark, dimly lit and as extravagantly decorated as the hotel
corridors are; but with classic brown-oak furnishings. The bar is to the right
of the entrance as you walk in, and it oversees the rest of the space to the
left.

All the classic cocktails are available for
between 75LE and 105LE, but the house cocktails are where Library Bar shines.

The eternity cocktail (80LE) is made up of whiskey,
amaretto, Southern Comfort and lemon juice, and has a sharp, blunt taste that isn’t too sweet despite the ingredients.

Sticking to a similar name-theme, the never
die cocktail mixes Bacardi white rum, triple sec and lime juice with fresh
cream.The rum balances the overdose of
citrus from the lime and the triple sec, making it a perfect blend with the
cream.

Reminding you that you are still in Egypt,
the tale of the Nile and the secret valley cocktails were particularly pleasing.
Gin, passion fruit liqueur, lime juice, cranberry juice and grenadine make up
the tale of the Nile (80LE), and the bright pink cocktail seems more suitable for a
poolside tanning session than a dark cigar room in both appearance and in
taste. The generous serving is refreshing and sweet.

The secret valley (90LE) is a simple mix of gold
tequila and crème de cassis; a dark blackcurrant liqueur. The kick in this
drink comes from pieces of hard caramel at the bottom of the glass that are
just small enough to fit through your straw.

No food is served on account of the
neighbouring Thai Lai, but you are provided with an endless supply of complimentary
olives, crisps and a selection of salted almonds and cashew nuts. Beers are
available at 28LE a pop, while a single spirit will set you back between 75LE
and 90LE. Service is suitably prompt and
the staff is gracious and unassuming.

Much of the Four Seasons is put together to
feel homely, and Library Bar is as welcoming and comfortable a bar as you might
hope to find in Cairo. Prices are high as you’d expect, but the range and the
quality of the cocktails, as well as the range of imported alcohol on offer,
make this a decent option if you feel like breaking out of your accustomed
Cairo bar scene.

360 Tip

Ask about the special off-the-menu cocktails.

Best Bit

Rich cocktails with quality spirits.

Worst Bit

Prices are fairly high, and it isn’t as conveniently located within the hotel as a bar should be.

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